#5 The Weekly Pep Talk - December 24 - 30, 2007

Ask About Running
The Weekly Pep Talk
Fifth Issue
This week is dedicated to Hilary S. (we should run together one of these days!)
Monday, December 24 – Sunday, December 30, 2007
Week 51 in 2007
Send comments to: Stephanie@AskAboutRunning.com

Hello to All!

This morning I was in Golden Gate Park at 7:30 to sign up for the Miracle Mile. I looked for familiar faces but didn’t see many. It was a fun race. I, like many of the other runners, did both events, the 1 mile and the 5K a little while later. I encourage you to get out and do these fun runs. As Destiny L. mentioned (and has been true in my experience, as well) you may find yourself winning a place in your age division. I think this is a hoot! I love getting my certificate and hearing everybody clap. So what if there were only 3 women in my age division and I placed third? It adds a little extra fun to those of us who are competitive.

The other interesting thing about these local runs is that you get a chance to talk to people. I spoke with a woman this morning, who is a great runner, and she’s 73! I’ve seen her before so, decided to strike up a conversation. She was so humble. Can you imagine running well at that age? I was so impressed and I’m striving to be like her when I get to her age.

I also saw a lot of kids running with their parents. Some of these kids had to be about 5. The families were running together! Is that great? In fact, a father and his son finished the mile directly in front of me. The boy, who had to be about 7 or 8 years old ran a 7 ½ minute mile! And a 72 year old man finished right behind me! He also ran a mile in barely more than 7 ½ minutes!

So, next time I tell you about these fun runs, come on out! You can walk, you can run, you can wear a costume. It’s a good boost for fitness and fun. And today, after the run was over, we got Bud’s ice cream in Christmas flavors. I had to try all of them – egg nog, pumpkin, peppermint stick, mint chip, and vanilla bean.

SMALL, LOCAL RUNS CAN BE A LOT OF FUN
Unless you are a top notch athlete you can only place in these small, local races. Two races I know about are the low key ones around Lake Merritt in Oakland and the ones sponsored by the Ohana Runners in San Francisco. Please, if you know of any specific events that are small, fun runs (and walks) send me an e-mail at Stephanie@AskAboutRunning.com. I would love to keep you all informed of these events. Usually they benefit a local charity, as well. So, the whole process is a winner, from start to finish!

Since we are smack, dab in the middle of the main holiday season the pep talk will be light this week. I don’t know about you but I’m still wrapping presents!

For those of you planning to run the London Marathon this year, I finished the training schedule and will attach it to this newsletter. I will also post it on the group site at AskStephanieAboutSports@yahoogroups.com. Look for it under files. Go for it starting tomorrow!

WANT TO GO TO LONDON NEXT APRIL?
Next year I plan to organize a group trip to the London Marathon so, if you are interested in combining a holiday in England with a great race, start planning now. The dates will be approximately the same as this year which is April 13. So, be thinking ahead about this. I’ll have details out way in advance. The nice thing is that you don’t have to run to come on the trip. You could watch the event. And of course, you could bring along family or friends. Details to follow…

Next week, for any of you who have qualified to run The Boston Marathon, I will post a 16 week training schedule specific to that event.

JOIN THE NEW RUNNING PROGRAM ON SUNDAYS
I’m getting excited about the new running program starting on January 6. The goal, with our new group, is to provide on-going weekly runs in both the East Bay and San Francisco (or surroundings). Every Sunday, starting January 6, you will be able to join a 9:00 group in the East Bay or a 1:00 group in San Francisco to run or walk a measured 3 mile or 6 mile course. There will be mile markers and a finish line. This gives experienced runners and walkers the opportunity to push themselves to improve their competitive times. It gives novice women, or less competitive spirits, the chance to complete 3 miles in whatever fashion you wish. If you’ve never run that distance before, finishing is a worthy goal. My team will support you to get there! If you’ve done lots of 3 mile runs, this can be used as a day for a few extra miles or for your tempo runs where you run HARD! The group atmosphere will make all of it more fun.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Contact Stephanie@AskAboutRunning.com

THE BUDDY SYSTEM – 2 people sign up together for a 25% discount.
I want you to run with a buddy, or at least, share the responsibility of getting up every Sunday. So, sign up with a buddy and each of you pays 25% less. You must sign up and pay together under one credit card or check. This could be a good Christmas present, right?

Follow this link for the annual sign-up
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_xclick&business=satwoodok%40yahoo%2ecom&item_name=Annual%20Membership%20in%20Ask%20About%20Running%20Program&item_number=12%20mos&amount=200%2e00&no_shipping=0&no_note=1&currency_code=USD&lc=US&bn=PP%2dBuyNowBF&charset=UTF%2d8

Or contact me about monthly memberships, buddy passes, and other alternative ways to participate. It is also OK to sign up when you show up, on a daily basis. I hope to see you and run with you soon. Contact me at Stephanie@AskAboutRunning.com.


UPCOMING RACES
The Kaiser Permanente Half Marathon & 5K February 3, 2008
xnet.kp.org/sanfrancisco/index.html
The London Marathon April 13, 2008
www.london-marathon.co.uk
16 week training begins December 24
The Boston Marathon April 21, 2008 http://www.bostonmarathon.org
16 week training begins December 31
The Bay to Breakers/San Francisco May 18, 2008
http://www.ingbaytobreakers.com/main.html
See Jane Run Women’s Half Marathon & 5K May 31, 2008
http://www.seejanerun.com/t-See-Jane-Run-Half-Marathon-and-5K.aspx
The San Francisco Half & Full Marathon & 5K August 3, 2008 http://www.runsfm.com/home.html
The Disneyland Half Marathon and 5K August 30/31, 2008 www.disneylandhalfmarathon.com
The Chicago Marathon October 12, 2008 http://www.chicagomarathon.com
The Nike Women’s Half and Full Marathon October? (couldn’t find)
www.nike.com
The New York City Marathon November 2008?
www.ingnycmarathon.org
The Honolulu Marathon December 14, 2008
www.honolulumarathon.org


Send me your stories, comments, and questions about life and running. My E-mail is Stephanie@AskAboutRunning.com.

If you haven’t already joined the group website, please go to AskStephanieAboutSports@yahoogroups.com and join! I would love to have you as a part of this group of active, interesting women, who live a life style that includes giving themselves time for activity. The site offers articles, tools, and encouragement to keep up the good work!

The Sunday walking/running program will launch on January 6, 2008 in the East Bay and San Francisco.


Have a wonderful holiday week. Try to get some time to exercise. I’ll be back on December 30.

Happy Holidays!
Stephanie Atwood

If you wish to be removed please E-mail Stephanie@AskAboutRunning.com and you will be promptly taken off the mailing list. Thank you!

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